The Queen’s Cook (Queen Esther’s Court)
When the king’s edict is read, allowing Persians to murder their Jewish neighbors and seize their property on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Roxannah’s father sees a way to pay off his drinking debts. Fearful for her Jewish friends, Roxannah does the only thing she believes will help: she warns a kind physician named Adin who’s helped her family. But the consequences of that night leave Roxannah and her mother at the mercy of debt collectors. Adin’s been drawn to Roxannah since they first met—despite the fact she’s a Gentile and a relationship with her is forbidden by his faith. Feeling guilt over what happened to Roxannah’s family and knowing of her love of cooking, Adin helps Roxannah get a job in the Queen’s kitchen. Very quickly, though, they are both entangled in a deadly plot against the king’s wife.
Roxannah believes her fate is the result of chaos and cruelty. She’s learned from her abusive father to always find quick exits and set up warning barriers in rooms. Yet Queen Esther’s and Adin’s examples of faith open a door for her. Within an environment of political scheming, Roxannah develops a new faith, but the most important lesson she must learn is that faith isn’t an easy path; it’s one of trust.
The city streets, the palace hallways, and the bustling kitchen details are all mesmerizing in detail. Additionally, the food creations are sumptuous. Both Adin and Roxannah are easy to connect with. Main and side characters are also quite memorable and add to the richness of this ancient society. In all her books, Tessa Afshar exhibits an exemplary talent for creating broken, enduring characters whose journeys warm the heart. Through the author’s prose, readers are invited into this beautiful story of faith and healing. Recommended!
